A place to find and suggest books for children with autism, and to discuss autism and reading comprehension.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Poetic Tangents

In Love that Dog, the poet Walter Dean Myers appears as a character. Since my son liked the book and the poems, Ilooked for more by Myers but found he's better known asan award winning children's books author.Most of his books offer too many challenges for my son,the biggest being too few illustrations to support the story.So I turned to his picture books and found two, one of whichmy son and I liked quite a bit.Flats Brown, talented blues playing dog, must stay onejump ahead of his mean owner A. J. Grubbs. The storyresonates with the message that everyone needs a little love.What my son liked were the song titles.When I asked him about the book, that's what hereeled off: "The Bent-Tail Blues," "The MangyMuzzle Stomp," and his and Flat's favorite,"The Freaky Flea Blues."Also, he remembered and liked that Myers put awhole song in the back "The New York City Blues."Alliteration, music, lyrics, all appeal to him.Last night I found him reading one of his old picture books:When I asked him his favorite part, he said "The -iers.Diggier, Waggier, Flappier."Myers book is much more sophisticated in narrative,but both books should appeal to readers who like dogsand/or playfully poetic prose.-Spectrum Mom

About Me

I'm the mother of two boys. My twelve year old was diagnosed with PDD-NOS at age two. Reading is a huge big happy place for me. But I couldn't find
a blog that regularly gives book
recommendations for kids on the spectrum, so I created this one - a book of interest every Wednesday and thoughts/info on
reading as people contribute them or as
the spirit moves me. I welcome on topic
guest posts and reviews from kids, parents,
educators, librarians . . .
Please add your thoughts -post
a comment at the bottom of each post.